This year, we invited a new holiday tradition into our family, “Elf on the Shelf.” Ash, as my daughter named him, joined Santa’s team this year to watch over our family during the Christmas holidays. He has now made it back to the North Pole to rest up for next year’s Christmas watch over the Sebora family.

The “Elf on the Shelf” is Santa’s eyes and ears. The tradition begins when Santa sends his elves out to Elf Adoption Centers just waiting for a family to bring them home. During the day, the elf watches over his family. In the evening, he zips to the North Pole to report back to Santa, regarding his family. It also gives him time to touch base with the other elves on a daily basis.

Before the family wakes for the day, the elf flies back to his adopted home. One will never find the elf in the same spot each day (well, usually), as “Elf on the Shelf” is a little bit of a prankster.

And a prankster our Ash has been this first Christmas he has shared with the Sebora family. One morning, we found him sitting by the fireplace wearing a pear of Mama Jenni’s old glasses and reading a Christmas book, while enjoying a cup of hot cocoa.

Another morning, he was found in a pile of snow, making a snow elf angel (well, it was a pan of sugar). My youngest daughter thought that was pretty “hilarious,” as she described it.

He also gets others to join in on the fun. Ash enjoyed a cup of tea during a tea party he hosted with a bear, bunny, American Girl doll, and “Toy Story” cow girl, Jesse.

For some reason, the elf liked to pull Jesse into the action on more than one occasion. He and Jesse were found engaging in a snowball fight (large marshmallows) over the line of artillery (Lego wall). That elf. (We were lucky there were snowballs left as our dog, Hemi, wanted to devour them.)

On another morning, he was discovered sitting in our children’s rocker, holding the remote and a can of Diet Mountain Dew. At least it was diet.

Brushing his teeth, taking a shower, playing the piano, playing checkers  of course, with Jesse, were other activities that our elf enjoyed during his Christmas stay at our home.

I am sure that Ash, the elf, is already conjuring up some tricks and pranks he can get into next year at Christmas-time. I can’t wait.

I hope your holidays were merry, and we are all enjoying some deserved rest.